12 English Verb Tenses

Did you know that there are 12 different verb tenses in the English Language?  It's easiest to think of them in four groups: simple, continuous, perfect, and perfect continuous. Remember, some textbooks refer to the continuous as "progressive."

To form these tenses, one must use one or more of the 4 Principal Parts of a Verb. These include 1) the base/present form, 2) the past form, 3) the past participle form, and 4) the present participle form.   

From these, you can also create the 3 Verbals found in the English language (more on those another time).

If you would like to print out a chart of 12 verb tenses, click here.

If you wish to review the 4 Principal Parts, click here.